Utility Holster Strap

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/661,277, filed Jun. 18, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates in general to devices worn in the belt or inside a pant waist. In particular, this invention relates to an improved utility strap configured for the attachment of a pistol holster, accessories, and tools thereto.

Conventional pistol holster devices, also known as sidecars, are often inflexible and do not allow the user to move the pistol holster once attached to the device. Some conventional pistol holsters devices may include a hinge, however, such hinges often break. One example of such a known holster is the T.Rex sidecar holster manufactured by T.Rex Arms of Centerville, TN. Another example of such a known holster is the Flex sidecar holster manufactured by Bucks Holsters of Cape Coral, FL.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved structure for a pistol holster device that is flexible, configurable to allow the attachment of a plurality of accessories and tools, and allows for an attached pistol holster to be moved based on the needs of the wearer.

This invention relates to an improved utility strap configured for the attachment of a pistol holster, accessories, and tools thereto. The utility strap includes a flexible strap body having a plurality of mounting holes formed therein and defining attachment points for one of a pistol holster, accessories, and tools. The strap body includes a plurality of openings formed therein to facilitate bending.

In another embodiment, the utility strap includes a flexible strap body having a plurality of mounting holes formed therein and defining attachment points for one of a pistol holster, accessories, and tools. A riser extends outwardly from a surface of the strap body facing away from the wearer when worn. The strap body further includes: a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and a transition area of increasing thickness between the first and second portions; a plurality of elongated slots formed therein to facilitate bending; an outwardly extending, elongated first wing; and a second wing and a third wing separated by an upper arcuate edge, wherein the second wing and the third wing extend outwardly and upwardly from the strap body. A side portion of the strap body opposite the first wing defines a flange.

Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in view of the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the figures, there is illustrated ina first embodiment of a utility strap. The illustrated utility strapincludes a flexible strap bodyhaving a plurality of mounting holes formed therein. As shown, the holes may be circular, such as the holes, or slightly elongated, such as the holes, the purpose for which will be explained below. It will be understood that the strap bodymay include any number of the holesand, and any number of additional holes having any desired shape or shapes. A plurality of openings are also formed in the strap bodyto facilitate bending. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap bodyincludes a plurality of first openings configured as elongated slots, and a second opening, larger than the elongated slots.

The mounting holesand, and the elongated slots, facilitate the attachment of any desired device or accessory, including, but not limited to any pistol holster, inside the waistband (IWB) clips,, and, other belt clips, additional attachment holdersand, such as shown in, an attachable wing member, magazine pouches, handcuff pouches (not shown), tourniquets (not shown), and mod wings (not shown). It will be understood that the IWB clips,, andmay be any desired type of clip, including but not limited to IWB tuckable and IWB non-tuckable clips and/or hooks.

For example,illustrates the utility straphaving two of the first embodiment of a known IWB clipattached to the strap body, such as with threaded fastenersvia the holesand/or. Although not illustrated, a third IWB clipmay be attached to the strap bodyusing one of the elongated slotsif, for example, the user wanted to carry a larger, heavier pistolor tool.

illustrates the utility straphaving one of the first embodiment of the IWB clipattached to the strap body(on the right side of the strap bodywhen viewing), and one of the second embodiment of a known IWB clipattached to the strap body, such as with the threaded fastenersvia the holes(on the left side of the strap bodywhen viewing).

Referring now to, a second embodiment of the utility strap is shown at. The utility strapis similar to the utility strapshown in, and includes a strap bodyhaving an outwardly extending, elongated first wing(extending to the left when viewing). The strap bodyalso includes a second wingand a third wing, wherein the second wingand the third wingare separated by an upper arcuate edge(the second wingand the third wingextend outwardly and upwardly when viewing). A side portion of the strap bodyopposite the first wingdefines a flange(the right side when viewing).

A plurality of mounting holes are formed in the strap body, including in the wings,, and, and the flange. As shown, the holes may be circular, such as the holes, or slightly elongated, such as the holes, the purpose for which will be explained below. It will be understood that the strap bodymay include any number of the holesand, and any number of additional holes having any desired shape or shapes. A plurality of openings are also formed in the strap bodyto facilitate bending. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap bodyincludes a plurality of first openings configured as elongated slots, and a plurality of second openingsof varying shapes and sizes, and larger than the elongated slots.

The mounting holesand, and the elongated slots,facilitate the attachment of any desired device or accessory, as described herein above in reference to the utility strap, illustrated in.

Advantageously, the illustrated utility strapsandare very flexible. Each utility strap bodyandis formed from any desired resilient material including, but not limited to, nylon and other polymers.

Additionally and advantageously, the strap bodymay be formed having two thicknesses. As best shown in, the strap bodyincludes a first portionhaving a first thickness, a second portionhaving a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and a transition areathat increases in thickness between the first and second portionsand, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portionincludes the first and second wingsandand a portion of the strap body(the upper left portion of the strap bodywhen viewing). The first portionmay have a thickness of about .080 in. Alternatively, the first portionmay have a thicknesses that may be determined by the material from which the strap bodyis formed, and/or by the flexibility desired. The second portionmay have a thickness of about .130 in. Alternatively, the second portionmay also have a thickness or thicknesses that may be determined by the material from which the strap bodyis formed and by the flexibility desired. The additional thickness of the second portionprovides additional strength and rigidity to the portion of the otherwise flexible strapto which the pistol holsterwill be attached.

also show the utility straphaving two of the IWB clipsattached to the strap body, such as with the threaded fastenersvia the mounting holesand/or. Although not illustrated, a third IWB clipmay be attached to the strap bodyusing one of the elongated slotsif, for example, the user wanted to carry a larger, heavier pistolor tool.

shows the utility strapconfigured as illustrated inwith a first embodiment of the attachment holdermounted to the flangevia the mounting holesand/or, thus defining a utility strap assembly. The attachment holderincludes a plurality of the mounting holesandarranged as in an upper portion of the third wing, and thus the attachment holderis configured for the attachment of any desired device or accessory, as described herein above in reference to the utility strapsand.

similarly shows the utility strapconfigured as illustrated inwith one IWB clipattached thereto. A second embodiment of the attachment holderis mounted to the flangevia the mounting holesand/or, thus defining a utility strap assembly. The attachment holderis larger than the attachment holderand includes a plurality of the mounting holesandarranged similarly to the mounting holesandin the flange, and thus the attachment holderis configured for the attachment of any conventional IWB clip, such as the embodiment of the IWB clip, and the attachment of any desired device or accessory, as described herein above in reference to the utility strapsand.

As shown in, the additional attachment holdersandare configured to be attached to the flangevia the mounting holesand/or. Like the utility strap, the attachment holdersandinclude a plurality of the mounting holesandthat are formed therein and facilitate the attachment of any desired device or accessory, such as listed above.

illustrate the utility straphaving a protrusion or riserformed on, or attached to, an outwardly facing surface of the first wingand extending outwardly therefrom (i.e., the side facing away from the wearer when the utility strapis worn and extending upwardly when viewing, and).

The risermay have any desired thickness, such as about 0.250 in or about 0.450 in. Alternatively, the risermay have other desired thicknesses based on the needs of the wearer. Advantageously, when the utility straphaving the riserattached thereto is worn, the utility strapis contoured by the wearer's belt and/or pants waistline and the wearer's body, thus defining a unique curve that creates leverage that pushes the pistol grip of a pistolin the mounted pistol holster, inwardly toward the wearer's body, as shown in.

Alternatively, the risermay be formed on, or attached to, an inwardly facing surface of the first wing(i.e., the side facing toward the wearer when the utility strapis worn). Additionally, risersmay be provided on both the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface of the first wing.

illustrates the utility straphaving the riserand the IWB clipattached thereto. In the configuration shown, the pistol holster, having the pistoltherein, and a magazine pouch, having a magazinetherein, are attached to the utility strap.illustrates the utility strap, configured as shown in, as worn within a waistband.

Similarly,illustrates the utility straphaving the riser, two of the third embodiment of a known IWB clip, and the attachment holderattached thereto. In the configuration shown, the pistol holster, having the pistoltherein, and the magazine pouch, having the magazinetherein, are attached to the utility strap. An additional magazine pouch, having the magazinetherein, is attached to the attachment holder.

Advantageously, the elongated mounting holesallow an attached device, such as the pistol holster, to pivot about a mounting bolt so that the wearer may position the pistol holster, and the pistolheld therein, in a desired position relative to the wearer's body.

illustrate the utility straphaving the riser, such as shown in, and also including a riser adjusterformed on, or attached to, an inwardly facing surface of the utility strap(i.e., the side facing toward the wearer when worn).also illustrates the utility strapshown inmounted to an embodiment of a conventional holster. The riser adjustermay be formed from any desired resilient material, including, but not limited to, rubber and other elastomers. The illustrated riser adjusteris generally cylindrical in shape and attached to the utility strapby any desired means, such as with threaded fasteners. A height of the riser adjustermay be varied by tightening and loosening the threaded fastener used to attach the riser adjusterto the utility strap. When the utility straphaving the riser adjusteris worn, the riser adjusterengages and provides additional leverage on the pistol holsterattached to utility strapthat further pushes, i.e., in addition to the leverage provided by the riser, the pistol grip of the pistolin the mounted pistol holster, inwardly toward the wearer's body. Alternatively, the riser adjustermay have other cross-sectional shapes.

illustrates a third embodiment of the utility strap. The utility strapis otherwise the same as the utility strap, but includes an outwardly extending, elongated fourth wing(extending to the right when viewing) integrally formed therewith. Like the first wing, the fourth wingmay include one or more risersformed on, or attached to, the outwardly facing surface and/or the inwardly facing surface thereof.

illustrates the utility straphaving the attachable wing memberattached thereto. The attachable wing memberhas the same function as the fourth wingshown in, and may also include one or more risersformed on, or attached to, the outwardly facing surface and/or the inwardly facing surface thereof.

Many configurations of the utility strapand the various attachments described herein, including the attachment holdersand, and the attachable wing member, may be assembled. For example,illustrate the utility straphaving the attachment holderattached to the flangeof the strap body, and the attachable wing memberattached to the attachment holder, thus defining a utility strap assembly.

illustrates an embodiment of a stiffener strutconfigured for attachment to the second portionof the strap body. For example,illustrates the utility strap assemblyshown in, having the stiffener strutattached thereto. The stiffener strutmay be formed from any desired rigid or semi-flexible material, including, but not limited to, spring steel, composites, polymers, and combinations thereof. Advantageously, attachment of the stiffener strutallows the user to increase the stiffness of the portion of the strap bodyto which the stiffener strutis attached. The stiffener strutmay have any desired thickness, including but not limited to about 0.015 in, about 0.020 in, and about 0.025 in.

illustrates a fourth embodiment of the utility strap. The utility strapis similar to the utility strap, but does not include the first wing, and is thus configured for applications where the riseris not required.

It will be understood that additional embodiments of the strapmay be assembled to include a strap bodyand two or more of the attachment holderand/or the attachment holderattached thereto.

The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.